Mitchell Robinson gave himself a birthday present — and the Knicks a jolt of vitality they’ve been ready to really feel once more.
With Karl-Anthony Cities sidelined resulting from left knee soreness, Robinson returned to the beginning lineup Tuesday and delivered his most impactful efficiency since ankle surgical procedure derailed his season. The Knicks beat the injury-ravaged Sixers, and Robinson — on the evening he turned 27 — dominated: 14 factors, 14 rebounds, two blocks, and a heavy dose of what they’ve missed most since his harm final Could.
“Honestly I think this [was my best birthday game]. I believe it was this one,” Robinson mentioned, grinning at his locker. “Coming out there with high energy. We had guys out so next man up. That was the mentality.”
The Knicks sorely missed their defensive anchor, they usually bided time patiently till his return.
Robinson labored his method again from two separate stress fractures in his left ankle — the second of which got here in Sport 1 of the Knicks’ second-round collection towards the Indiana Pacers final postseason. His return was cautious by design. He rejoined the rotation on Feb. 28 in Memphis and has spent each sport since enjoying catch-up.
Tuesday was Sport 14 of his season. It was the primary that seemed like classic Large Mitch.
“You can see it — and as time goes on, it gets better and better,” mentioned head coach Tom Thibodeau. “He usually has a couple guys on him and he still has the ability to get the ball, which is a credit to him. And he’s a big multiple-effort guy, so we need that pressure. Those extra possessions are huge for us.”
Essentially the most telling signal? Seven offensive rebounds — a season-high — and the timing that had been lacking since his return.
Robinson says his conditioning is bettering. However he’s not the place he needs to be. Neither is his timing.
“Somewhat. I still have a lot of work to do, but as of right now, it’s heading in the right direction,” he mentioned, later cracking a joke. “I need to be able to play like seven minutes straight. But I’ve been working on the conditioning stuff still. So we rolling.”
That lack of conditioning isn’t a shock. Sport velocity is barely earned by means of sport reps — and Robinson spent the higher a part of a yr watching from the sideline.
“[My] legs heavy. [The] conditioning not there,” he admitted. “You know, missing 10 months is a loooong time, but I feel like with all the practices we done had, the shootarounds, it’s starting to catch up. That helps a lot.”
What’s modified, he says, is how his physique feels — not simply conditioning-wise, however bodily.
He’s lighter. Leaner. And it’s displaying on the court docket.
“Last year, way heavier coming back to play versus now. Way lighter now,” he mentioned. “So that was pretty much like a big difference. All that extra weight I was carrying last year and the year before that was keeping me down. Now I’m lighter and feel better.”
The transformation wasn’t only for perform — it was private.
“I ain’t like how I looked. You saw me with my shirt off,” he laughed. “Them abs was poppin’. It was the diet. It was a lot of stuff, but I’m not finna speak on it.”
He doesn’t need to. Since Robinson rejoined the rotation, the Knicks have posted the fourth-best defensive ranking within the NBA, behind solely Oklahoma Metropolis, Toronto, and Orlando. His return has reset the ceiling on what New York may be defensively — particularly with Cities wholesome and Julius Randle nonetheless ramping up.
Robinson’s objective is to be absolutely conditioned and absolutely prepared by the playoffs, which start April 20. The Knicks have only a handful of video games left to get him there.
“I mean the way I’ve been working, I feel like I can. That’s the goal,” he mentioned. “So I’m gonna continue to keep working, keep working on my conditioning and stuff like that, and just keep going.”
